Chimney Rock groundhog to predict winter's end

Published: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 21, 2013 at 6:49 p.m.

CHIMNEY ROCK — Grady the Groundhog, Chimney Rock's live animal ambassador, will make his annual prediction at the Park when he awakens from his winter slumber on Saturday, Feb. 2.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the public is invited to an educational program and shadow sighting in the Meadows, followed by kids' crafts and family guided hikes. If Grady sees his shadow, we can expect six more weeks of winter weather ahead — but if not, then spring should be around the corner! Cast your vote on whether he'll see his shadow at chimneyrockpark.com.

Reduced admission during the waterfall trail closure is $12 for adults, $6 for ages 5-15, and free for kids 4 and under. For special admission on Feb. 2, get one free youth admission with each paid adult. During February, Grady's Kids Club memberships are on sale for $8.

"Grady's Groundhog Day is like Groundhog Awareness Day," said Matt Popowski, PR and events manager at Chimney Rock. "Grady is a local celebrity; the kids love him! We hope everyone gains a better understanding of and appreciation for these popular woodland critters."

For Grady's Groundhog Day, join Emily Walker, Chimney Rock's education manager, at 11 a.m. near the Classroom on the Meadows for a nature program on the life of groundhogs and the Groundhog Day tradition, followed by Grady's shadow sighting. Half-hour guided family hikes will start at noon and 12:30 p.m. on the Great Woodland Adventure trail. Kids' Groundhog Day crafts will be offered from noon to 1 p.m.

To celebrate Grady's special day, Chimney Rock is offering a discount on memberships to Grady's Kids Club, the annual pass for youth, for only $8 during February — and it's been extended to 18 months. For just 44 cents a month, kids ages 5-15 get unlimited visits to the Park for 18 months, discounts on park food, retail and events and additional savings at favorite area attractions.

Buy your kid's pass online, by phone at 800-277-9611 or at the park during Feb. 1-28.

Adjacent to the Great Woodland Adventure, a popular TRACK Trail for kids, is Grady's Animal Discovery Den. It's home to a handful of live animal habitats, including snakes, an opossum and Grady the Groundhog. These critters are stars in some of the park's education programs for schools, homeschoolers and scouts.

The den also features hands-on, kid-friendly displays of furs and skulls from native animals, including deer, skunks and turtles.

This is the fifth year of Chimney Rock's annual Groundhog Day event, but only the third with Grady as the star of the show. The official Groundhog Day can be traced back to 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pa. For more information on Chimney Rock's hands-on education programs for schools, homeschoolers and scouts, as well as summer camps, visit chimneyrockpark.com/education.

<p>CHIMNEY ROCK — Grady the Groundhog, Chimney Rock's live animal ambassador, will make his annual prediction at the Park when he awakens from his winter slumber on Saturday, Feb. 2. </p><p>From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the public is invited to an educational program and shadow sighting in the Meadows, followed by kids' crafts and family guided hikes. If Grady sees his shadow, we can expect six more weeks of winter weather ahead — but if not, then spring should be around the corner! Cast your vote on whether he'll see his shadow at chimneyrockpark.com. </p><p>Reduced admission during the waterfall trail closure is $12 for adults, $6 for ages 5-15, and free for kids 4 and under. For special admission on Feb. 2, get one free youth admission with each paid adult. During February, Grady's Kids Club memberships are on sale for $8. </p><p>"Grady's Groundhog Day is like Groundhog Awareness Day," said Matt Popowski, PR and events manager at Chimney Rock. "Grady is a local celebrity; the kids love him! We hope everyone gains a better understanding of and appreciation for these popular woodland critters."</p><p>For Grady's Groundhog Day, join Emily Walker, Chimney Rock's education manager, at 11 a.m. near the Classroom on the Meadows for a nature program on the life of groundhogs and the Groundhog Day tradition, followed by Grady's shadow sighting. Half-hour guided family hikes will start at noon and 12:30 p.m. on the Great Woodland Adventure trail. Kids' Groundhog Day crafts will be offered from noon to 1 p.m. </p><p>To celebrate Grady's special day, Chimney Rock is offering a discount on memberships to Grady's Kids Club, the annual pass for youth, for only $8 during February — and it's been extended to 18 months. For just 44 cents a month, kids ages 5-15 get unlimited visits to the Park for 18 months, discounts on park food, retail and events and additional savings at favorite area attractions. </p><p>Buy your kid's pass online, by phone at 800-277-9611 or at the park during Feb. 1-28. </p><p>Adjacent to the Great Woodland Adventure, a popular TRACK Trail for kids, is Grady's Animal Discovery Den. It's home to a handful of live animal habitats, including snakes, an opossum and Grady the Groundhog. These critters are stars in some of the park's education programs for schools, homeschoolers and scouts. </p><p>The den also features hands-on, kid-friendly displays of furs and skulls from native animals, including deer, skunks and turtles.</p><p>This is the fifth year of Chimney Rock's annual Groundhog Day event, but only the third with Grady as the star of the show. The official Groundhog Day can be traced back to 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pa. For more information on Chimney Rock's hands-on education programs for schools, homeschoolers and scouts, as well as summer camps, visit chimneyrockpark.com/education.</p><p>Chimney Rock is 40 minutes southeast of Asheville on Highway 64/74A in Chimney Rock. Call 800-277-9611 or visit chimneyrockpark.com.</p>